CAT vs XAT for MBA in India: Key Differences and Which Exam to Choose

When deciding between the Common Admission Test (CAT) and the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for pursuing an MBA in India, the CAT is ideal if your goal is to get into one of the IIMs or other top B-schools that accept CAT scores. It is also widely accepted across numerous institutions in India. Whereas XAT is essential if you are aiming for XLRI or other B-schools that specifically accept XAT scores. It offers a slightly different format and additional sections that may appeal to students looking for a different type of challenge. It’s important to understand the differences and similarities between these two entrance exams. Both XAT and CAT are known to be more challenging than other MBA entrance exams. When compared to each other, they are both tough, but it’s often observed that in CAT, the DILR section tends to be more difficult than the other sections, and in XAT, the Quantitative Aptitude section is often considered tougher than the rest. Here is a detailed comparison of CAT and XAT based on various parameters

CAT vs XAT: Differences
Particulars	CAT	XAT
Full form	Common Admission Test	Xavier Aptitude Test
Conducting Body	IIM	XLRI, Jamshedpur
Eligibility Criteria	Graduate with 50% aggregate (45% for reserved category candidates) from a recognized university	Graduate in any stream from a recognized university
Sections	3	4
Exam mode	Online	Online
Exam duration	120 minutes	210 minutes
Difficulty level	Moderate to Difficult	Moderate to Difficult
Exam fee	INR 2,400 (INR 1,200 for Reserved category students)	INR 2,100
Registration process	Online	Online

Conducting Body

CAT	Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis.
XAT	Conducted by Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur.

Acceptance

CAT	Accepted by all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India.
XAT	Accepted by XLRI and over 150 B schools in India.

Exam Pattern

CAT
Sections	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Number of Questions	66 questions.
Duration	2 hours (40 minutes per section).
Negative Marking	Yes, 1 mark for each wrong answer (except non-MCQs).
Exam Type	Computer-based test.
XAT
Sections	Verbal and Logical Ability (VLA), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QADI), and General Knowledge (GK).
Number of Questions	100 questions (excluding essay writing, if applicable).
Duration	3 hours.
Negative Marking	Yes, 0.25 marks for each wrong answer (for some sections) and 0.10 marks for more than 8 unattempt questions.
Exam Type	Computer-based test.

Syllabus

CAT	Focuses on VARC, DILR, and QA. The questions are designed to test the analytical, verbal, and mathematical skills of the candidates.
XAT	Includes sections similar to CAT but adds a Decision-Making section, which is unique to XAT and assesses the candidates' ability to make decisions in challenging scenarios. Additionally, the GK section is included but does not affect the overall percentile.

Difficulty Level

CAT	Considered moderately difficult with a strong emphasis on QA and VARC.
XAT	Often perceived as slightly tougher due to the decision-making section and the inclusion of a broader range of question types.

Application Process and Fees

CAT	Application fees for the general category is approximately ?2,400, and for SC/ST/PwD category, it is around ?1,200.
XAT	Application fees are generally around ?2,000.

Exam Frequency

CAT	Conducted once a year, typically in November.
XAT	Also conducted once a year, typically in January.

Preparation Strategy

CAT	Requires strong preparation in three sections with a focus on speed and accuracy.
XAT	Preparation includes all areas covered by CAT plus an additional focus on Decision Making and GK.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT and XAT

CAT	IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many others.
XAT	XLRI Jamshedpur, XIM Bhubaneswar, SPJIMR Mumbai (accepts both CAT and XAT), TAPMI Manipal, and others.

Both CAT and XAT follow a speed-based testing format, necessitating candidates to efficiently solve calculation-intensive and inference-based questions within a restricted time frame. The difficulty level for both exams is considered moderate to difficult, positioning them as more challenging than other MBA entrance exams.

CAT vs XAT Similarities
Aspect	CAT	XAT
Sections	Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude	Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge, Essay
Number of Sections	3	5 (including General Knowledge and Essay)
Types of Questions	Analytical Ability, Logical Reasoning, English Communication Skills	Analytical Ability, Logical Reasoning, English Communication Skills, Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay
Marking Scheme	+3 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect	+1 for Correct, -0.25 for Incorrect (No negative marking for unattempted questions)
Time Duration	120 minutes	190 minutes
Speed-based Test	Yes	Yes
Difficulty Level	Moderate to Difficult	Moderate to Difficult
Comparison Highlights	Both test analytical ability, logical reasoning, and English communication skills. While similar to the syllabus, CAT has 3 sections, XAT has 5 sections (including General Knowledge and Essay). Both are speed-based, and difficulty is moderate to difficult. Major differences include sectional time limit, marking scheme, and number/types of questions.

CAT comprises three sections – VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude, while XAT has four sections – Decision-making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. XAT includes two extra sections, with one being a distinctive section named Decision-Making

CAT vs XAT Exam Syllabus Difference
Aspect	CAT	XAT
Sections	VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude	Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge
Number of Sections	3	4 (including Decision Making)
Additional Sections in XAT	–	Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay
Syllabus Similarity	Yes	Yes
Marking Scheme	Similar	Similar
Time Duration	Similar	Similar
Difficulty Level	Challenging	Challenging
Specific Difficulty Areas	The DILR section is often challenging	The decision-making section is unique and challenging

Frequently Asked Questions:(FAQs)

Ques. What are the main differences between the CAT and XAT exams?

Ans. The key differences lie in the number of sections, marking scheme, exam duration, and focus areas:

Sections: CAT has 3 sections (VARC, DILR, Quant) while XAT has 5 (Decision-making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing).
Marking Scheme: Both have negative markings for incorrect answers. XAT penalizes for not attempting a question as well. CAT has a fixed sectional time limit, while XAT allows you to manage your time across sections.
Duration: CAT is a 120-minute exam, while XAT provides 190 minutes for completion.
Focus: CAT emphasizes Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation. XAT adds Decision Making and General Knowledge to the mix.

Ques. Which exam should I take for MBA admissions in India?

Ans. It depends on your target B-schools and strengths:

Target B-schools: Apply for CAT if targeting IIMs and FMS. Apply for XAT if targeting XLRI, XIMB, MICA etc. Some institutes accept both scores.
Strengths & Weaknesses: Choose CAT if strong in Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation. Choose XAT if comfortable with Decision Making and General Knowledge.
Time Management: Prefer fixed time limits? Choose CAT. Prefer flexibility? Choose XAT.

Ques. Can I take both CAT and XAT?

Ans. Yes, If you have a strong preparation base and time management skills, you can attempt both exams to increase your chances of admission to your dream B-school.

Ques. Where can I find resources to prepare for CAT and XAT?

Ans. Numerous resources are available online and in coaching centres. Look for mock tests to identify your strengths, and weaknesses, and practice time management.